This blog gives a view of yoga from a student’s point of view. That’s me! I have been teaching since 2012 but always a student. I love being part of the yoga world and continually learning.

I write about the top teachers, the yoga shows and festivals, the studios and workshops, and the promise of yoga’s self discovery. In this blog I include retreat information, workshop recommendations and Yoga In The News.

Sometimes I get asked about diet – in particular a vegan diet. Before going any further I have to say that different diets suit different people (Ayurvedic principles) but, probably, everyone needs to look into supplements. Here’s a lovely podcast by my favourite podcaster Lucas Rockwood about exactly that. He had a blood test done and, in this edition, discusses the results with a doctor. They are a bit longwinded but it isn’t often you hear people talking about digestive enzymes and detoxification pathways and the effects of plastics and pesticides and heavy metals. It’s never a waste of time to hear talk of B12 deficiency, or if the sun gives enough Vitamin D (discussed at 27.35)? Artificially lowering cholesterol is a fashion... what are the consequences?

There are plenty of spaces in my Home Studio next week. More and more new yogis are coming along; some ordered to attend by partners, all leaving with a sweat and a smile. Every day I reflect on how lucky I am. Many people book a few weeks ahead and so I need to say that there will be no classes in the first week of August. I’ll be training with Manju Jois. (Lovely interview with him here.) When you find that no classes show up in the booking system for the full week, that’s why.

Retreat

I’m not taking a retreat this year but there seems to be more and more interest in yoga retreats. In order to take the plunge and commit to a teacher for a non-stop week, you need to have confidence in their teaching, their kindness and their knowledge of yoga and its intelligent variations for different bodies and needs. You’ll have heard me mention Andy Gill in class and I’ve mentioned his workshops in previous Friday Emails. If you’re looking for a recommendation, you couldn’t be safer than in his classes. He has a retreat coming up later this month at EcoYoga in the Scottish Highlands. Have a look.

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